Charles Wang was a prominent figure in the world of ice hockey, known for his contributions to the sport as an owner and investor. Born in Shanghai, China in 1944, Wang moved to the United States as a child and grew up in Queens, New York. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School and earned a degree in civil engineering from Queens College.
Wang's involvement in hockey began in the 1990s, when he became a minority owner of the New York Islanders. In 2000, he purchased a controlling interest in the team, becoming the first Asian-American owner of a professional sports franchise in North America. Under Wang's ownership, the Islanders made several playoff appearances and reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2002 and 2003.
In addition to his ownership of the Islanders, Wang was also involved in the development of hockey in China. He founded the China Sharks, a professional team based in Shanghai, and helped to establish the Chinese Ice Hockey Association. Wang was also a major investor in the NHL's HockeyVision Enterprises, which aimed to expand the league's reach in Asia.
Wang was known for his innovative ideas and willingness to take risks in order to improve the sport of hockey. He was a proponent of advanced statistics and analytics, and was one of the first NHL owners to invest in video technology for scouting and player development. He also advocated for changes to the NHL's playoff format and scheduling, arguing that the league should prioritize player safety and reduce the number of back-to-back games.
Despite his contributions to the sport, Wang's tenure as owner of the Islanders was not without controversy. The team struggled financially under his ownership, and there were frequent rumors of a potential sale or relocation. In 2014, Wang announced that he was selling a majority stake in the team to a group led by Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin. The sale was completed in 2016, and Wang stepped down as majority owner of the Islanders.
Wang passed away on October 21, 2018, at the age of 74. His legacy in the world of hockey is a complex one, marked by both innovation and controversy. However, his contributions to the sport, particularly in the areas of analytics and international development, are likely to be remembered for years to come.
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